Next-Gen Sealant Speeds Recovery After Retinal Detachment, Study Finds

Forbes

05-05-2025

A breakthrough in the treatment of retinal detachment—a condition that can lead to permanent vision loss—was announced by Pykus Therapeutics at the Eyecelerator meeting, the innovation conference sponsored by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. This groundbreaking innovation involves a novel retinal hydrogel sealant that has the potential to significantly improve treatment and recovery for patients experiencing retinal detachment, offering new hope for patients with this vision-threatening emergency.
Savannah Guthrie, a main co-anchor of NBC's Today show, shared her experience after having a traumatic retinal detachment from having a toy poke her in the eye. She explained that after having surgery, she had to lay face down and was not able to see after having a bubble placed in her eye to reattach her retina. Because she had to lay face down after her surgery, she had limitations in what she was able to do. This new approach presented at the Eyecelerator meeting on Friday May 2nd 2025 in Park City, Utah will dramatically change the experience of patients like Guthrie and Sugar Ray Leonard, who both experienced traumatic retinal detachment.
'PYK-2101 has the opportunity to be the biggest advance in retina surgery in more than 30 years because it gives agency back to the patients, allowing them to choose when, where, and how they repair their retinal detachments without worrying about lifestyle impact' said Dr. Darius M. Moshfeghi, Chief of the Retina Division at Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University.
Your retina is similar to the film in a camera; it lines the back of your eye and captures the light and images you see. Retinal detachment occurs when this layer peels away from its normal position, much like wallpaper coming loose from a wall. When this happens, the retina is unable to send clear signals to your brain. You might notice sudden flashes of light, "floaters," or even a shadow or curtain coming down to obscure part of your vision. Because the retina must be firmly in place to function properly, a detachment is considered a medical emergency. Retinal detachment can occur spontaneously or after trauma.
Retinal detachment typically does not improve on its own and could lead to permanent vision loss if not treated right away. The longer you wait for treatment, the more likely you are to have permanent vision loss. You should contact your eye doctor right away, if you have one. If you don't have an eye doctor or you can't reach the eye doctor, you should go to the emergency room immediately. While waiting for care, try not to make sudden head movements. Keeping your head still in a stable position can help prevent detachment from worsening.
Once you have been evaluated by an ophthalmologist, they will discuss the best treatment plan for your situation. Possible treatments include laser therapy, cryopexy, pneumatic retinopexy, vitrectomy, scleral buckle procedure, or a number of other procedures. Each of these treatments has its own advantages, and the ophthalmologist will determine which option is suitable for you based on their examination findings.
Some of these treatments require a gas bubble to be put into your eye as part of the treatment. If a gas bubble was used to repair the retinal detachment, then you typically have to lay face down for days to weeks. This can contribute to neck and back strain, pressure sores and skin irritation, discomfort with basic activities, sleep disruption and fatigue, as well as emotional stress and isolation. Additionally, some patients may experience problems with breathing or sinus discomfort. With these procedures, it can be many weeks before your sight is actually restored.
'It was not that long ago that patients who needed cataract surgery had to be admitted to the hospital. Now, we have foldable lenses with next day improvement in vision,' said Tomasz Stryjewski MD, a Board certified vitreo-retinal surgeon who is co-founder and chief scientific officer at Pykus Therapeutics. 'But retinal detachment surgery has been stuck for the last 30 years— patients are incapacitated while a gas bubble floats in their eye for weeks or even months after surgery. Surely there is another way to do this' added Dr. Stryjewski.
By providing a biodegradable, vision-sparing alternative that directly seals retinal breaks, PYK-2101 is designed to address some of the major drawbacks associated with traditional retinal detachment surgery. This innovative approach eliminates the need for face-down positioning, potentially leading to faster visual recovery. Data presented at the Eyecelerator conference showed a 91% retinal reattachment rate in the per-protocol group and a 73% rate in the intent-to-treat population. There were no serious adverse events or significant safety concerns reported. Additionally, no direct effects on eye pressure were observed, which has been a limiting factor for similar technology in the past. Visual recovery was notably rapid, indicating the potential to significantly shorten recovery time for patients. In their clinical trial, patients returned to work as soon as one week after the surgery.
'We are thrilled with the results shown to date from our pilot clinical trial and look forward to sharing additional data upon trial completion,' noted Dr. Stefater, the president and cofounder of Pykus Therapeutics.
"PYK-2101 could offer a transformative improvement in retinal detachment surgery. By improving vision and eliminating face-down positioning, this product could dramatically improve patient outcomes and quality of life' said Dr. Dean Eliott who is the Stelios Evangelos Gragoudas Professor of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, and Director of the Retina Fellowship at Harvard/Mass. Eye and Ear. 'Following surgery, patients currently must remain in a prone, 'face-down' position almost 24 hours per day, must contend with work and travel restrictions, and have poor vision for weeks following surgery. By improving vision and eliminating 'face-down' positioning, this product could offer a transformative improvement in retinal detachment surgery," he added.
With nearly two million retinal surgeries performed globally each year, and retinal detachment being a leading cause of such surgeries, PYK-2101 could fill a critical gap in the standard-of-care—offering a safer, faster, and more comfortable recovery process for patients. Indeed, this innovation has the potential to be a generational advance for this field. By sealing retinal tears directly—without the need for long periods in a face-down position—patients can look forward to faster visual recovery, fewer lifestyle disruptions, and a smoother healing journey.
As clinical trials continue to confirm its safety and effectiveness, this next-generation retinal sealant may transform how surgeons treat retinal detachment and, most importantly, how patients experience their path back to clear vision and everyday life.